An obligation is always something that can be honored or flouted. There is nothing new in saying I have the freedom to be immoral. Now, you say that my obligation is to keep my promise to myself, that is, to keep my moral commitments. But that is not a recognition of your right, but a choice of decorum on my part. A recognition of your right always entails an obligation to you, even if it is an obligation to leave you alone.
What one may call the Kantian basis for this is respect for rational beings, and therefore their autonomy. In a sense, in respecting you, I am respecting myself, not arbitrarily, but according to the rationality that binds us together and makes us unique in the order of nature. In upholding the dignity of rational beings, I am upholding my own dignity. This is about as close as I think you can meaningfully get to your position. When I trash other people, I trash myself, or, at least, any chance for a rational basis for self- respect..... |
